In 1981, the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute launched the Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy program for mental health professionals. The APP program provides a combination of didactic classroom material along with twice weekly supervision groups. This affords each student an exceptional opportunity to apply theory to clinical work, and, also, greatly facilitates their evolution as psychotherapists. The American Psychoanalytic Association describes the program as “a model for psychoanalytic institutes across the country.”

The Educational Program

Purpose
The Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (APP) program provides mental health professionals with theoretical and clinical training in psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy. APP program graduates use their training for counseling and brief treatment applications, as well as the intensive psychotherapies.

Course Description

The APP Program is a two-year post-graduate training program combining classroom education and direct clinical supervision. Classes meet from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Monday evenings during the academic year at the Institute, 7700 Clayton Road, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63117. Each student also meets twice weekly for small group supervision of their own clinical cases. Supervisors offer a variety of current psychoanalytic clinical perspectives. Faculty and supervisors are experienced psychoanalysts affiliated with the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute.

Curriculum

The foundation for the APP Curriculum consists of courses in human development as well as classes on basic theory and clinical technique. Topics include:

NORMAL DEVELOPMENT
•Infancy and the early years
•Latency and adolescence
•Adulthood and aging

PSYCHODYNAMIC CONCEPTS and THEORIES
•Introduction to psychoanalytic theory
•Perspectives in contemporary psychoanalytic psychology:
ego psychology, object relations theory, and self-psychology

CLINICAL TECHNIQUE
•Evaluation, Treatment Plans
•Beginning Phase, Middle Phase, Termination
•Theory and Process of Therapy

CLINICAL DISORDERS
•Anxiety, Affective Disorders
•Personality Disorders & Character Problems
•Borderline & Narcissistic Disorders

SPECIAL TOPICS
•Dreams
•Addictions
•Neuroscience
•Brief Dynamic Treatment Models
•Trauma and Dissociative Disorders
•Ethics
•Suicide
•Diversity
•Research: Efficacy & Evidence-Base

Credit Hours

Credit may be arranged through some university programs. Continuing education credits are available for MDs, PhDs, LPCs and LCSWs.

This unique program is open to students and graduates of accredited programs such as psychology, psychiatry, social work, psychiatric or hospice nursing, pastoral or educational counseling.

How to Apply

Online APP applications are here: APP Application

Applications are due May 15th – see below for early tuition deadline or late tuition deadline details.

Complete the online application, and SUBMIT electronically or print and mail to:

Margo Smith
Director of Recruitment and Alumni Affairs
St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute
7700 Clayton Road, Suite 200
St. Louis, MO  63117

Questions?  Please contact Margo Smith, margosmith@stlpi.org or 314-361-7075 x 319

Tuition and Financial Assistance

APP 2020-21 tuition rates below are per year for the two-year program. Tuition is subject to change annually.

Early application tuition per year is $4,256 for applications received by April 20.

Regular tuition per year is $4,690 for applications received by May 15.

Late application tuition per year is $4,949 for applications received after May 15. 

* An annual non-refundable resource fee of $120 is due for all participants.

Financial assistance, in the form of scholarships, is available from the Institute. Applicants requesting scholarships should submit by April 15 to be considered in the first round of allocations. If funds allow, the scholarship committee will consider scholarship applications received after April 15 in the order received.

A link to the Scholarship application can be found at the end of the online APP application here: APP Application

Click here for the REFUND SCHEDULE